What size prop ??

[kfischer]

I just bought a 1968 18' 2+3 with a 210 HP volvo engine. Does anyone know the correct prop sze for this boat/motor combo ?

[jl1962]

Welcome. Must be a cool old boat.

You probably mean a Ford engine and Volvo drive. Which engine - 289 (likely), 302, 351? Which drive? (won't matter much - all the old Volvos are pretty similar)

Most of us are using either a 19" or 21" Solas or a 22" or 24" Ultra for boats between 200 and 300 HP. But I also have several old aluminum and bronze props (diameter ~ 15", pitch 21" - 23") which are OK for knocking around.

What kind of speed, RPMs are you getting now?

Post some pictures!

[mattyboy]

Jay is pretty much dead on there some other things that will help a 68 is most likely a volvo 200 or 250 they will have a tag on the top of the outdrive near the drive oil dipstick it will have a PZXXXXX.... then a letter A B C find that and it will give you the drive ratio if the drive has not been modified. that will help in your prop selection. again pics and numbers off the drive , motor ,bell housing and a hull number if you have them will help as well.

[kfischer]

[ QUOTE=$originalposter]{$pagetext}[/QUOTE]

Thanks to you both for replies. Yes, it's a Ford Interceptor, and Yes I recall a PZxxx number, but the boat is buttoned up for the winter 1600 miles from where we live. My son has that number and when he returns from a trip abroad in 2 weeks, I'll post it. The woman from whom we bought the boat gave me a label from a Michigan Wheel prop box that states "PR-248 14-3/8 x 23 LH Alum". There's a 14x19 prop on it now and I have to rev it up to 3600RPM to get it to plane, so I'm thinking a 23 pitch prop would work better, but I don't know if that's the recommended size. Do you think a 14-3/8 x 23 prop sounds about right? If so, where's a good source to buy one?
72779

[jl1962]

Ahh.....that one! Nice boat. Do you have a picture of the back of the boat?

I have the exact Michigan prop. It won't be the best or the worst. But definitely better than what you're using - and cheap! It would be a fine spare or mid-range cruiser.

The better stainless props would likely give less torque steer and better (less scary) handling at higher speeds.

PM me if interested or keep your eyes on eBay.

727807278172782

[kfischer]

[ QUOTE=$originalposter]{$pagetext}[/QUOTE]
Yup, that looks like it. No, I don't have any stern pix. I'm new here, so what does PM mean?

[jl1962]

Private message. I just sent you one. It should come in as email and as a pop up window here.

-Jay

[mattyboy]

if the motor has not been warmed up from the original 210 hp I would say a 14 3/8 X 23 is the biggest you'll want to go. usually going to a larger pitch hurts plane time. it's more blade shape including rake that helps getting on plane . of course this is if it is on a 1.6 drive ratio if your drive ratio is higher 1.8 or even a 2 a bigger prop may be needed.

[jl1962]

I also have the same prop but 21". (I have a lot of props!)

If you haven't put the boat away yet, I'd be happy to send them out to try.

[kfischer]

Jay - I've tried to send you two PM, but I think somehow neither went through as my sent file shows zero messages sent. Yes if you have a 14-3/8 x 23 left hand prop, I'll buy it. Please email me at below address.
Kurt Fischer
kffischer at aol

[jl1962]

It's yours!

PM and email sent.

Welcome to the Board and congrats on the boat.

[ss04vv]

What a great looking boat....love the contrasting exterior/interior colours.

[silverghost]

In the future you might consider a Stainless Steel Solas Titan 19" pitch LH prop for the horsepower you are running.
The Solas Titan is the first modern propeller built especially for the older Volvo Aquamatic outdrives in many years.
It far out performs ALL other older props built for the older Volvo outdrives on the Dozni 16 & 18.
The Solas Titan props have the very lowest slip numbers.
Their 19" pitch really acts, & loads-up, like a 21" pitch prop.
Do a forum search here for the Solas Titan.
I don't know if you have enough engine horsepower @ 210 HP to turn a 21" pitch Solas Titan into your engine's desired high power band range?

What a beautiful boat you just bought !

[scgj]

Not to hijack the thread, but I have been wondering about the gear ratio on my VP 280. The numbers on my outdrive have been painted over, but as best as I can tell they read PZ NR 283030...does this give any indication of gear ratio?

Thanks!

- scott -

[Just Say N20]

It is most likely a 1.61:1 ratio. Volvo sold outdrive/engine packages with 4, 6 and 8 cylinder engines each having their own ratio. V8 outdrives were 1.61:1.

But, someone smarter than I am will chime in, probably knowing how to interpret the numbers you provided.